A year ago, Subaru introduced a new design for their Forester. They also added more rigidity and agility to their popular compact SUV. So far, consumers have responded to the new look and feel with solid sales growth.
In this segment, you must be able to offer more than a solid design and practicality. You have to give your consumers some choices. That includes adding an electrified driveline to the lineup.
It is why Subaru added a new hybrid driveline to their 2025 Forester. It is what consumers want – more efficiency to match their needs.
Subaru enlisted the help from Toyota to create this third-generation hybrid driveline. We were curious whether this partnership has delivered the goods for its popular SUV.
The good thing about adding a hybrid driveline to the 2025 Subaru Forester is that you can’t really tell them apart from regular gasoline models. Only a few badges distinguish the Hybrid models from the others.
What remains is a handsome exterior that starts with a large front grille area, a large glasshouse and silhouette, along with its three-dimensional liftgate and taillight design. In all, it has the best rearward vision in its class. 
Our Touring tester offers a subtle and more luxurious look that is also purposeful. The 19-inch machine-finished alloy wheels and contrasting black roof are prime examples of how nice a Forester can be when you select the right trim level.
The Subaru Forester Hybrid’s cabin starts with a new 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster. With some customization, it still emulates the dual analog-and-digital cluster found on other models. In the center stack is the 11.6-inch portrait-oriented Starlink infotainment screen, which includes the climate control system. All controls and buttons work logically and good to the touch. 
Black leather upholstery with Ultrasuede inserts is what distinguishes the Touring from other trim levels. The front seats are pretty firm with plenty of support. Rear seat room is very good for most bodies. Four adults or a family of five can sit comfortable inside across two rows of seats. 
In terms of cargo space, there is 27.5 cubic feet of volume available with the rear seats up. This is expandable to 69.1 cubic feet with the rear seats down. The cargo area is accessed through a lower entry point, with a taller cargo height than most competitors in its class.
The Forester Hybrid’s driveline combines a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, a continuously variable transmission and Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel drive system. Combined, this is good for 194 horsepower. You can also improve your vehicle’s traction through the dual-mode X-Mode drive system on the infotainment touchscreen.
We found that acceleration was quicker and smoother. The instant torque from the electric motor helps at intersections and on-ramps. Cruising is smooth on the highway. As for fuel economy, we averaged 33.7 MPG in our turn with the Subaru Forester Hybrid.
The ride quality was simply superb. It delivered a smooth ride that absorbs over the worst roads it has driven over. In the Hybrid model, the handling felt a bit soft with some lean and roll through the corners.
On-center feel and steering wheel response were good. We found a good turning radius thanks to a quicker steering set that is precise. Braking was also good with excellent pedal feel. We observed good stops in normal and panic situations. 
The 2025 Subaru Forester lineup is available in a total of ten trim levels, including four Hybrid models. Pricing starts from $29,995. Our Touring Hybrid tester came with a sticker price of $43,610.
Adding a hybrid to a highly contested compact SUV segment puts one at par with its competitors. That includes the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Ford Escape PHEV, and Kia Sportage Hybrid. You can also add the Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan, and Nissan Rogue to your shopping list, as well.
Does the Hybrid driveline improve upon everything Subaru has poured into their newest Forester. We believe so. With more power and improved fuel economy, you can truly enjoy that space and practicality this compact SUV has to offer. That makes for a great combination.
